Family affair for Irene’s 100th birthday

Irene Page, who lives at Care South’s Sussexdown care home in the village, was treated to presents, flowers and cards as well as a large birthday cake.

The youngest of four children, Irene was born on August 8, 1914, in Stratford. She trained as a hairdresser after leaving school and married her husband, Bill Page, at the age of 22.

Bill served in the RAF and after the outbreak of the Second World War, Irene accompanied him on his wartime postings which included a stay on the Isle of Man. During the bombing of London in 1944, Irene was evacuated to Somerset along with her two children.

The couple, who enjoyed 55 happy years together, moved to Essex after the war.

Successive moves took them to Buckinghamshire and later to West Sussex. A keen walker, Irene never learned to drive a car and when she first moved to Sussexdown nine years ago, she enjoyed walking in the grounds and joining in with trips out in the home’s minibus.

Heather Rogers, general manager at Care South’s Sussexdown, said: “We were delighted to welcome Irene’s family to celebrate her 100th birthday. She is a remarkable woman who has led a very rich and interesting life and is very well liked by staff and her fellow residents.

“Our staff work hard to ensure our residents’ birthdays are special occasions.”